Halo 4 is a reminder of how Master Chief changed gaming forever.

There was a time when Halo was the king of gaming. When it came to online multiplayer, that is what console gamers played. Halo started a revolution among console gamers, and without Master Chief who knows where Xbox Live and console online gaming would be. Halo 4 is indeed a Halo title, but there is something about it that makes it feel like something special. Maybe it’s the fact we haven’t seen Master Chief since 2007, or it could be that the new ideas from 343 make Halo 4 feel fresh, but I would bet that it’s the simple fact that Halo isn’t complete without its main character and the simplicity of it’s multiplayer.

A lot has changed since Halo’s inception, and the basic story of stopping the world from being destroyed with the help of a blue female AI named Cortana isn’t sufficient. Halo 4 needed to breathe new life into the series, and 343 managed to do just that. Halo 4 feels like a new beginning for not only the franchise, but for Master Chief as well.

If you are one of the millions playing Halo 4, you might of noticed something a little odd when you tried to access War Games. When trying to get to the multi-player section of Halo 4, Microsoft asks the player to either insert disc 2 of Halo 4, or to download the multi-player from Xbox Live. The question is, why would anyone want to download the multi-player assets when they have the disc?

It really doesn’t make much sense. Every copy of Halo 4 comes with a second disc for purely install purposes only, and there is no chance that players can use the second disc to play the multi-player of Halo 4. Players need the first disc to play any part of Halo 4. Is Microsoft going to sell the multi-player portion of Halo 4? It sure is possible.

Halo 4 map packs detailed, arriving in late 2012.

343 industry has announce the details for three map packs that will release after the launch of Halo 4. Each and are set to arrive between December 2012 and April 2013. Players will have the option of purchasing a Halo 4 War Games Map Pass for $24.99 (2,000 Microsoft Points) that will offer access to the packs at a 15% discount as well as a unique in-game Falcon emblem. The Map Pass is included for free with the Halo 4 Limited Edition, and two unique in-game helmets (Scanner and Strider) will be offered when the Pass is purchased separately.

The Crimson Map Pack will be released in December 2012 and includes three maps: Wreckage, Harvest and Shatter. According to 343, players will “witness the chaos of a clash of civilizations” in Wreckage and see a “blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures.” Players will also “venture into the human colony environs of Harvest” and “explore a human foray on an alien moon in Shatter.” The Majestic Map Pack, due in February 2013, includes Landfall, Monolith and Skyline. As 343 describes, “Landfall’s emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world, while Monolith exposes you to the naked vacuum of space — and the firepower of opposing teams. Skyline’s distinctly industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces.”

Finally, the Castle Map Pack is scheduled for April 2013 and offers Daybreak, Outcast and Perdition. “Daybreak is set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range,” 343 says, “while Outcast plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice. Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl, with tactical speed and situational awareness its key features.”

Halo 4 will be getting the console bundle treatment

Are you thinking about getting a 360 because you’re old one doesn’t have enough memory space? Are you planning on getting Halo 4 when it comes out this November? If the answer to both questions was yes than you should wait for the new Halo 4 360 bundle. Which comes out along with the game on November 6- altogether this pretty awesome bundle will cost you $400.

Beyond the console and the game you also get 2 controllers that look like the console art design and a generic black headset. The 360 also comes with a 320GB hard drive so you’ll have plenty of room to forge as many maps as your heart desires.

If your looking for this Bundle on the Microsoft page you won’t find it because it was only up for a little while. It looks like Microsoft wasn’t ready to announce and we should get an official announcement in the weeks ahead.